anders leegaard knudsen thirteenth century, founded by Ingerd, Countess of Regenstein, and one from the fourteenth century, founded by Ida Falk. Ingerd, who lived from about 1200 to about 1258, came from one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in Denmark. She was married twice but had no children. During her first widowhood she helped found the four earliest Franciscan monasteries in eastern Denmark. She and her second husband supported the Dominicans, but after his death, her interest in the Franciscans revived, and with a very generous legacy she founded the first convent of the Poor Clares of the Order of Saint Damian in Scandinavia.20 In fact, the legacy was too generous, considering the limitation on testamentary gifts from a daughter’s lot or half a capital lot. It seems that Ingerd had exceeded that limitation. Her parents, her brothers and sisters, her uncles and aunts, had all died before her, but she did have a nephew and a niece, both children of one of her brothers, and they contested her testament. They did so while she was still alive and hence she was able to settle the dispute with an exchange of property. This procedure took place in 1257 at the royal court of law, in the presence of the king and the queen, as well as the most important royal officers, and in addition two of her other relatives: the archbishop, as well as the bishop of Roskilde. The latter was not only her diocesan bishop, but also her legal guardian and the executor of her testament. This settled the matter, it seems, and the foundation of the convent could take place.21 The testament is dated August 1, 1256, but the foundation must have been carefully planned.22 In 1253, Ingerd had obtained a letter of protection from Pope Innocent IVat the petition of both Agnes of Bohemia and she herself.23 She also obtained the support of the Crown, and the king asked the pope to protect the foundation.24 During the years 1257 and 1258, Pope Alexander IVnot only confirmed the foundation, but is20 On Ingerd, Countess of Regenstein, see Nielsen 1988. 21 The royal letter patent documenting the settlement, dated July 8, 1257, is published in DDan. II:1, no. 226. 22 The testament is published inDDan. II:1, no. 191. 23 Dated June 9, 1253, DDan. II:1, no. 106. 24 DDan. II:1, no. 193. 157
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